Harry Potter and the Secrets from the Past

Chapter 32. BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH

...

I don't know with whom you are

I don't know what you're doing now

But I know for sure

What you're thinking about.

This town is too big

For two people like us

Who don't hope but

Are still looking for

Each other...

...

"... and I'm thinking of you" by Lucio Battisti

Hermione observed the whole scene in shock. "Harry!" she shouted, while running; her heart beat faster and faster with the hope of finding him still alive.

Hermione knelt at Harry's side and turned him by the shoulders with trembling hands; the young wizard was senseless and pale in the face, but was still breathing. Hermione felt a wave of relief in her heart when suddenly she saw a small trickle of blood flowing from the corner of Harry's lips. Then the blood started flowing profusely, forming a red puddle on the ground.

"Oh no! MURDERERS! You've killed him, you've killed him!" she cried out desperately, while hugging him tight in her arms and hiding her face in his chest.

"You're going to pay for this!" shouted Fred, trying to free himself. "Come on! Take off these ropes and you'll see what we're able to do!"

George was still petrified in horror.

"What were you thinking? The Dark Lord wanted him alive, understand? ALIVE!" thundered Malfoy to Bellatrix. "Now we're going to be punished, and it'll be your fault!"

"Potter would have died anyway! Our Master will be satisfied just the same!"

"You're a raving, crazy witch! Let's leave, before it's too late!" Malfoy made a sign with his hand to the other Death Eaters, and one by one they disappeared with a resounding "crack!".

"What we're going to do with the prisoners?" asked one of them.

"Leave the two Weasleys here, while Mark will come with us."

The Death Eater lifted Mark Evans bodily and disapparated with him. Malfoy and Bellatrix were the last ones to leave; in the square came back the quietness of the night, only broken by Hermione's sobbings. She was still crying muffledly, her eyes widened in shock, her face crossed by tears, holding Harry's motionless body in her arms.

Fred and George slowly stood up and moved to her. "Harry's still breathing! He'll survive, I'm sure of it!" said George, doing his best to comfort her.

In the meantime, Fred was trying forcefully to get Ron to come back to his senses. "Wake up! For Merlin's sake, Ron! We need your help here!"

Hermione felt an awkward emptiness inside; even though she knew that Harry was still alive, this time she wouldn't be able to help him. Her mind was upside down, unable to make any rational decision and Harry was losing more and more blood. The only important thing for her was to remain by his side until the end.

In that moment, a tall hooded figure exited one of the side alleys, heading toward them with fast steps. George rushed in front of Harry and Hermione; even though his arms and legs were still tied up, he frowned at the newcomer, challenging him. "What else do you want? Leave us alone!"

"Move away Weasley, if you care about his life!"

George widened his eyes in surprise, having recognized the voice. "P-professor Snape?"

Snape took off his black hood with a quick motion and bent toward Harry, inspecting the boy with a worried look in his eyes. "It's the Sanguinem Curse! We don't have much time left!"

With a fast movement of his wand, he made the magical ropes disappear from the twins' bodies; then he took out from his cloak an old quill and handed it to George. "Use this portkey to reach the headquarters."

"Y-you are coming with us, right?" asked Hermione, wiping her tears with the sleeve of her shirt.

"No, I'm not! I'll bring Potter with me to a much safer place!"

"W-what are you talking about? I'll come with you!" Hermione protested, but the teacher didn't give any reply; he lifted Harry bodily and loaded him on his shoulders, giving the young witch a stern look.

"Miss Granger, I haven't got time for your silly hysteria. You'll get news about his health conditions through the Headmaster. Goodbye." Snape disapparated, dragging Harry along with him.

***O***

When the group of young wizards reached Grimmauld Place, they found Mrs. Weasley, Tonks and "Mad-Eye" Moody ready to welcome them.

They appeared in the middle of the kitchen, and the counterblow made them collapse on the floor.

"Oh, Ron, Fred, George! How are you, my dears? And you Hermione?" Mrs. Weasley rushed to them and hugged her sons tightly in turn.

"Professor Snape has just informed us. It's a real miracle for you to be still alive!" Tonks spoke with trembling voice. Hermione stood up abruptly and turned to her.

"Do you know anything about Harry? How is he? Professor Snape has taken him away, but we don't even know where he's gone!"

Nymphadora Tonks placed her hands on Hermione's shoulders and stared at her with sympathy. "Don't worry, I'm sure that Severus will do all that is possible to save Harry's life. Now, if you let me have a look at your wounds, I may..."

"Tell me where Snape has brought him! Harry needs my help, I can't leave him alone!" Hermione cut Tonks off, raising her voice; she wanted desperatealy to reach Harry and be by his side when he woke up.

"NOW STOP IT!" Moody scolded her strongly, "Professor Snape knows what to do and no-one has the right to interfere, not even a silly little girl like you! The best thing for you to do now is to stay here and don't bring us any other troubles, understood?" Then the old Auror turned toward Ron again, trying to revive him.

Hermione felt her blood boiling in her veins; even if she was tempted to reply, she chose to remain in silence. She just tightened her fists in anger and then rushed away from the kitchen, slamming the door.

"Poor girl! I know how she's feeling at this moment," commented Mrs. Weasley, bitterly.

Hermione climbed the stairs two steps at a time and when she reached her bedroom, she locked the door behind her. She remained a few minutes with her back leaning on the wall, her gaze lost in space, with the image still in her mind of Harry lying in a puddle of blood, senseless.

Warm tears crossed her face; out of the window, the sun was already rising in the sky, lighting the room with its rays, but Hermione didn't realize it. Her only thought was to be able to meet Harry again, talk to him, and stare at his shining green eyes and his sweet smile.

The young witch felt the weight of that horrible night burdening her shoulders; with no more strength to stand up, she slipped down on her knees, covered her face with her hands and burst into silent sobs.

***O***

The ancient manor of Snape's family was raising itself in a lost valley, surrounded by sharp mountains. It was a solitary place, where the nature had taken windward; the house was dark and gloomy, just like the wizards who had lived there for ages. From the outside, it could very well seem the typical bewitched house, with pointed roofs, dismantled windows and a squeaking main gate, pushed by the wind.

In the old cellar of the house, in a cold room with stone walls, Severus Snape was deeply concentrated on a magical potion, which would help to save his young guest's life. The professor was moving quickly around the smoking couldron; he poured a red powder inside and mixed it up three times clock-wise; then he waited for the color of the potion to become as black as night and added a drop of a crystal-like liquid, which caused a low burst of smoke.

A drop of sweat crossed his knitted forehead; he couldn't make even the slightest mistake, or it could cost the boy's life.

Snape waited a few more minutes until the preparation had taken a red color, then with a large spoon he took some of it and poured it into a small vial. Losing no time, he exited the room and climbed the stairs.

Snape reached the third floor, headed to the last room at the end of the corridor and entered inside. Harry was lying on the bed, senseless; he had lost a lot of blood - his clothes were completely soaked with it. Snape leaned over him, and then with his right hand, he lifted Harry's head and made him drink the entire contents of the vial until the last drop.

The teacher laid the boy's head on the pillow again and sighed deeply; he had done everything possible to save him. Now he just needed to wait and see. Even if his blood wasn't flowing anymore, Harry's face was really pale and motionless; Snape grabbed his hand and felt it was freezing, even if his heart was still beating.

Snape asked himself why he was helping this boy, but he couldn't find a good explanation. Just because Dumbledore had asked him to do it? Maybe. Because he was feeling pity? That too. Undoubtedly, there was something more. What was binding him to Harry Potter was strong enough to push him to risk his own life to save Harry's.

Snape slowly moved to the window; the sun was already up in the sky. He closed the curtains, preventing any sun rays from lighting up the room. He gave a last glance at the boy passed out on the bed, turned to the door and exited the room, with a resounding rustle of his robes.

The bedroom remained dark and silent; suddenly, a little gem of light appeared on Harry's side, its shining rays growing more and more and finally it took a human form.

A beautiful woman wearing a white robe was now standing there; she had long red hair and gorgeous green eyes. She kept staring for a few minutes at the boy, with compassion and love in her eyes; then she stretched out a hand and gently grazed his face. "Harry, Harry!"

Hearing her sweet voice, Harry slowly opened his eyes and gazed at the ethereal figure in front of him. He wasn't feeling any physical pain, as if he has been miracolously healed from all his injuries.

"Mum, it's you!" Harry spoke, but he realized he hadn't moved his lips. He was able to communicate with her just with the strength of his mind.

"It's time to go, my son." Lily sent him a wonderful sensation of love and happiness, which warmed his heart; he suddenly felt he wouldn't be able to live without her anymore. He sat up on the bed without any difficulty, his body feeling extremely light, and then got out of bed and stood up.

Harry was still staring at his mother unbelievingly, while she was smiling at him with joy. With a slight movement of her hand, Lily materialized a high gate made of shining light, laid an arm on Harry's shoulder and together, they moved a few steps toward the lighted way.

Harry didn't know yet where he was going to; he just wanted to follow his mother everywhere.

"Are you ready?" Lily asked and her son nodded.

Before being swallowed by a flash of light, Harry gave the room a last glance. For a brief moment, he saw his body still lying on the bed, motionless. He widened his eyes in surprise, but the scenery around him had already changed.

***O***

That day at Grimmauld Place, time passed by surprisingly slowly and tediously; thanks to Moody's help, Ron had come to his senses, even if he was still feeling extremely weak. Mrs. Weasley had told him to stay in bed for the whole day and Ron had insisted on knowing all that had happened the night before.

Fred and George explained everything to him, also the reason for their presence in Knockturn Alley; they had lingered in their shop when heard someone shouting. Then rushed out in the street and two Death Heaters caught them.

The twins spent the whole evening in Ron's bedroom, while each ten minutes Mrs. Weasley entered the room to check on them.

Lying on the bed, Ron was staring at the ceiling, his face tired and worried; suddenly, he turned to his brothers. "Any news from Hermione?"

"She has been locked in her room the whole day, and didn't even come for dinner!" replied George, sadly.

"If someone doesn't tell us anything, I'm going to shout!" said Fred with anger, beating his fist on the bed.

Nobody had given them the slightest news about Harry's condition; the weight of this terrible fear and doubt was squeezing their hearts like a boulder.

Suddenly, the door opened and Mrs. Weasley entered inside, carrying a tray full of pastries. "How are you feeling, dears? I've brought you dessert." She laid the tray on the table and stared at them with a forced smile on her face.

"Any news?" asked Ron worriedly, and Mrs. Wealsey's smile faded away.

"Harry's condition is stable. The hemorrhage has been stopped, but he isn't out of danger yet. Professor Snape is doing his best to..."

"Can you tell me what the hell Snape is doing with Harry?" shouted Ron furiously, "We could have brought him to the hospital or maybe to Hogwarts!"

Mrs. Weasley kept her placid attitude, despite her son's behaviour. "Dumbledore thought that it would have been too risky. The Headmaster trusts Severus, and you should trust him as well!"

Ron had always had serious doubts about Snape's loyalty to Dumbledore, and wasn't happy at all that his best friend's life depended on their Potions teacher. Nevertheless, there was nothing he could do to change this situation; he crossed his arms and hoped that Harry would make it through the night.

"I think I'm going to see if Hermione is fine. Poor girl, she doesn't want to open the door to anybody!" Mrs. Weasley sighed deeply and slowly exited the room.

"What can we do? I feel so useless!" George lay down on the bed, staring at the ceiling.

Ron closed his eyes and tried to visualize in his mind his best friend's face. "Hold on Harry. Please, don't give up mate!"

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